Miniature rose plant

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by the medium red color of the very double flowers and by the profusion of bloom.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy, dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety being primarily characterized--as to novelty--by the medium red coloration of the flowers which in general color effect are similar to Kathy (miniature--U.S. Pat. No. P.P. 3,246).

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers usually borne singly.

Slight fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of bushy, upright shape with semi-glossy, small foliage, with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similar in form and size to Over The Rainbow (miniature--U.S. Pat. No. P.P. 3,472).

The plant, which has a normal height of 14 inches (35 cm) or more, can easily be maintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily outdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides attractive garden decoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nursery located at Dallas, Tex., under conditions of careful control and observation, as a cross between Tom Brown (floribunda--not patented) as the seed parent and Over The Rainbow (U.S. Pat. No. P.P. 3,472) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully reproduced it, at my nusery located as aforesaid, by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage, buds and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference to The British Colour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms of color definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; upright; seedling; outdoors; cut flowers; garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature.

Variety identification.--Minqco.

Commercial synonym.--Red Love.

Flowers borne: Usually singly on slender wirey stems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green, sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); hairs -- few.

Before calyx breaks.--Size -- small. Form long; pointed with few foliaceous apendages and few or no tiny hairs on surface of bud; with foliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-half or less of its length. Color -- medium green, occasionally tinted with bronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks.--Color -- reddish. Opening: opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size, when fully open.--Small averaging about 30 mm (11/4").

Petalage.--Very double -- averaging about 40 petals, arranged regularly plus sometimes several small petaloids.

Form.--High centered with petals reflexing loosely outward, and later at maturity, rolled loosely outward and downward. Open flowers usually show no stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate -- almost round; intermediate -- broad lanceolate with rounded tip; inside -- lanceolate with rounded tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown outdoors (1984 season), Dallas, Tex.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near (or similar to) Carmine 21/1 (sometimes darker or lighter). Inside surface -- near Carmine 21/1.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- similar to outside petal. Inside surface similar to, or darker than outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; inside surface -- same as intermediate petal. General color effect; newly opened flowers -- medium red color. Three days open -- color similar to newly opened flowers but less brilliant. Behavior -- opens well in all weather. Flower longevity (May 1984) -- plant in pot 6-8 days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature 4-5 days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Few or none.

Filaments.--Few or none.

Anthers.--Few or none.

Pollen.--None.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Fairly even; short length; bunched.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved against peduncle.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three) leaflets; fairly small; leathery; semi-glossy to matt.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, nearly oval, apex acute; base rounded or rounded acute. Margin serrate. Color: medium to dark green; new growth -- normal (medium) green (sometimes lightly tinted reddish). Rachis: medium strength; upper side -- usually few or no prickles or hairs, grooved; underside sparsely thorny with few or no tiny prickles. Stipules: medium length; narrow points which turn out usually at about 45 degrees.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; upright; much branched.

Growth.--Vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color: medium green.

Thorns.--Few; slender, nearly straight, inclined slightly downward; color -- brown. Prickles -- none. Hairs -- none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns -- average to few; medium length; slender; nearly straight; inclined downward. Medium oval base. Prickles: none. Hairs: none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown at Dallas, Tex. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, much branched, upright habit, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds and flowers of a medium red color, being of a shade generally near Carmine 21/1, the bud and flower resembling the variety Over The Rainbow (U.S. Pat. No. P.P. 3,472) in form and size and further characterized by a plant of vigorous and compact growth habit, easy to propagate from cuttings, with an abundance of flowers borne usually one to the stem. 